Game Review

Picture this, a traditional Saturday afternoon game, 2:10pm kick-off, it’s winter, you’re outside in the elements with no roof for protection and two of the VFL’s foundation clubs are battling it out the old fashioned way. The scene could have just as easily described a round 11 clash from 30 years ago, but here it was Carlton and Melbourne at the home of football in June 2010. Chris Judd said it best (naturally) when interviewed post-match describing it as “real” footy.

A few hundred games of experience came into the round 11 side when Ryan Houlihan and Jarrad Waite were welcomed back into the team on Thursday night. Making way were off-season recruits Brock McLean and Lachlan Henderson both struggling to cement a permanent place in the Blues’ best 22 through injury and/or form; in McLean’s case it depends who you talk to.

The Blues tried to stamp their authority on the game even before the first bounce when Setanta O’hAilpin bumped and bustled with just about every Demon between the wing and full-forward as he bounced his way towards the Punt Road end goal square. Meanwhile Andrew Carrazzo was letting Aaron Davey know he was in for an unpleasant day and not just because of the dark threatening skies. The physical (and mental) challenge seemed to rattle the Demons early with several free-kicks and 50 metre penalties awarded to the Blues in the opening minutes after silly, undisciplined acts.

When the footy actually started the Blues were clearly in a domineering mood. Numerous thrusts forward were rewarded by goals to all the old hands (Kade Simpson, Carrazzo, Houlihan, Waite and the unlikely boot of Bret Thornton) as the Blues out-classed the Demons with an impressive opening 15 minute burst. It was Houlihan’s quarter though, as he added a further two goals to have three by the first break. His second was a classic piece of evasive action, beautifully working the limited real-estate of a make believe phone box before banging through a lovely goal. The Demons managed a couple of goals mid-term to stem the flow slightly but it was the Blues with a comfortable 32 point break at quarter time after a seven goal opening.

During the second term the Demons tightened up as the game turned into a bit of a wrestle. The dark skies continued to threaten and eventually light rain began to fall adding a degree of difficulty to ball-handling. The Blues managed two goals for the quarter, a second from Thornton moonlighting as a forward (career tally now six) and another from Waite. Incidentally, Waite became the centre of much derision and scorn from Melbourne supporters after a clumsy clash with Matthew Bate in a marking contest. The resulting report ensured Waite was booed every time he touched the ball (which was often), but come Monday the Match Review Panel decreed he had no case to answer. The Demons added just one goal for the quarter as the Blues extended their lead to 38 points at the main break.

Mitch Robinson opened his account early in the third as the lead blew out to a commanding 45 points; then the heavens opened. The rain belted down cats and dogs but it was the Demons who adapted fastest to the changed conditions and the tide turned quickly. With five of the next six goals Melbourne reduced what appeared to be a game-winning lead for the Blues to a brittle looking 19 points at three quarter time and the all important momentum was a soggy blue and red.

Whether it was the easing of the monsoon or the effort involved to get back into the game it was certainly a different Melbourne that came out after the break. Chris Judd had been relatively well held by James McDonald for much of the game but he broke the shackles with plenty of heavy work at the early stoppages and then bobbled through the Blues’ first for the term seemingly clearing the Blues’ scoring blockage. With that Houlihan snagged his fourth (a career high) and Eddie Betts chimed in with a couple in junk-time before they ran out eventual 41 points winners.

With the win Carlton went a game clear in fifth spot on the ladder and had a string of five games in a row at Etihad Stadium to come - surely as a partial home base this would be a happy hunting ground?